Raymond Gaynor's Blog, page 42
March 16, 2021
ANOTHER REVIEW AT THE EDGE OF MADNESS
I was pleased to read another review (the fourth so far) of my recently released SCI-FU (Science-Based Futuring) novel, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor. Although more of a book report in length than shorter, contemporary review, it was so true to life that I want to share it here:
3 of 4 Stars by Online Book Club Reviewer:
“In the early twenty-first century, Total Meltdown led to the dissolution of the former United States of America, now seen by NewAmericans as a historical oddity. Reduced to half of its former size, NewAmerica relies on global trade and the contribution of off-worlders, human immigrants to other planets. Under the guidance of Jackson, Tripler, Clarke, and Stewart, the four political icons of the new world, society has passed through major cultural, economic, educational, and religious transformations.
“Draff Rob Brie [Septican-Smite] is born and raised in Emory, one of the communities in the new government capital, Chicago, concatenated in NewSpeak to “Chica.” According to the new rules, he spends only the first two years of his life with his biological parents. Immediately afterward, he becomes a member of a “social family” or “nest” and is assigned a PerCust, a personal state custodian. Together with Simi Andry Jan [Jan-Rho] and Billy Fran Frunk [Tordon-Cass], Draff forms “Trio Safe Prime” or “The Trinity.” Both his gay friend Billy and mysterious Simi accept him as their leader and fight for his love. Endowed with an extraordinary sense of smell, Draff has always felt different from everybody else. Closer to Billy but drawn to Simi, he needs to figure out who he is and what he wants for his future.
“The Edge of Madness by Raymond Gaynor is a sequel to Total Meltdown , written in co-authorship with William Maltese. I particularly enjoyed the worldbuilding in this socio-political techno-thriller; it is reminiscent of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World . The author does a great job of describing the birth and development of NewAmerica. Although we can read the novel as a standalone, the frequent references to the previous reconstruction years made me want to read the prequel.
“Raymond Gaynor touches on many sensitive issues in our current world. From this perspective, the book is thought-provoking and invites us to see things in a different light. For example, NewAmericans promote an education system based on cooperation and critical thinking rather than individualism and competitiveness. As a result, graduate learners who could apply what they learned to real-life situations were in far greater demand over those simply acquiring a diploma. In terms of religion, I loved the description of Wicca, the new universal religion. Any member could join, leave, and rejoin the religious community at any time.
“The novel primarily focuses on Draff’s childhood, adolescence, and early maturity years. For those who enjoy reading coming-of-age books, The Edge of Madness is also a story of self-discovery and spiritual growth. Due to his inquisitive mind, Draff has no problems learning about the history and culture of NewAmerica. His many names reflect the new social organization: he is “Septican-Smite” when first introduced to someone, “Brie” whenever he does something wrong, “Rob” when he is good to his friends and acquaintances, and “Draff” to those with whom he is intimate. Raymond Gaynor skillfully sketches the image of a strong young man who needs to come to terms with his special powers and sexual drives. Depending on his choices, he could develop into either a freak or a synesthetic savant capable of melding his senses.
“Even if I was fascinated by the unique worldbuilding, I often had to re-read some of the explanations about the technological wonders of the new world (“ContraSpray,” “Eugitors,” “CandyShades,” “CandyCable,” “Forty-Seven Suits,” or “T-rips”). I know that all these inventions were an essential part of NewAmerica, but I wish the explanations were less descriptive and elaborate. In addition, the constant switch from one name to another for the same character was a bit confusing at times. Since I also noticed more than ten editing errors, I have decided to give Raymond Gaynor’s novel 3 out of 4 stars . Mainly punctuation mistakes and typos, the errors were not highly distracting, though. Some chapters have an LGBT slant or describe a new religion worshipping Mother Goddess, so those bent on dogmatic religious norms might have an issue with this aspect. There are no sexual scenes per se, but Draff’s relationships with both Billy and Simi often display an inherent eroticism. All in all, I am recommending this novel to fans of post-apocalyptic fiction who are interested in social and political transformations, technological changes, sexual awakening, and spiritual development.”
The Edge of Madness
Soon to be an Audible Audiobook read by the incomparable Peter Pollock; purchased by K. Simmons Production for manga, animation and cinematic treatment.
3 of 4 Stars by Online Book Club Reviewer:
“In the early twenty-first century, Total Meltdown led to the dissolution of the former United States of America, now seen by NewAmericans as a historical oddity. Reduced to half of its former size, NewAmerica relies on global trade and the contribution of off-worlders, human immigrants to other planets. Under the guidance of Jackson, Tripler, Clarke, and Stewart, the four political icons of the new world, society has passed through major cultural, economic, educational, and religious transformations.
“Draff Rob Brie [Septican-Smite] is born and raised in Emory, one of the communities in the new government capital, Chicago, concatenated in NewSpeak to “Chica.” According to the new rules, he spends only the first two years of his life with his biological parents. Immediately afterward, he becomes a member of a “social family” or “nest” and is assigned a PerCust, a personal state custodian. Together with Simi Andry Jan [Jan-Rho] and Billy Fran Frunk [Tordon-Cass], Draff forms “Trio Safe Prime” or “The Trinity.” Both his gay friend Billy and mysterious Simi accept him as their leader and fight for his love. Endowed with an extraordinary sense of smell, Draff has always felt different from everybody else. Closer to Billy but drawn to Simi, he needs to figure out who he is and what he wants for his future.
“The Edge of Madness by Raymond Gaynor is a sequel to Total Meltdown , written in co-authorship with William Maltese. I particularly enjoyed the worldbuilding in this socio-political techno-thriller; it is reminiscent of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World . The author does a great job of describing the birth and development of NewAmerica. Although we can read the novel as a standalone, the frequent references to the previous reconstruction years made me want to read the prequel.
“Raymond Gaynor touches on many sensitive issues in our current world. From this perspective, the book is thought-provoking and invites us to see things in a different light. For example, NewAmericans promote an education system based on cooperation and critical thinking rather than individualism and competitiveness. As a result, graduate learners who could apply what they learned to real-life situations were in far greater demand over those simply acquiring a diploma. In terms of religion, I loved the description of Wicca, the new universal religion. Any member could join, leave, and rejoin the religious community at any time.
“The novel primarily focuses on Draff’s childhood, adolescence, and early maturity years. For those who enjoy reading coming-of-age books, The Edge of Madness is also a story of self-discovery and spiritual growth. Due to his inquisitive mind, Draff has no problems learning about the history and culture of NewAmerica. His many names reflect the new social organization: he is “Septican-Smite” when first introduced to someone, “Brie” whenever he does something wrong, “Rob” when he is good to his friends and acquaintances, and “Draff” to those with whom he is intimate. Raymond Gaynor skillfully sketches the image of a strong young man who needs to come to terms with his special powers and sexual drives. Depending on his choices, he could develop into either a freak or a synesthetic savant capable of melding his senses.
“Even if I was fascinated by the unique worldbuilding, I often had to re-read some of the explanations about the technological wonders of the new world (“ContraSpray,” “Eugitors,” “CandyShades,” “CandyCable,” “Forty-Seven Suits,” or “T-rips”). I know that all these inventions were an essential part of NewAmerica, but I wish the explanations were less descriptive and elaborate. In addition, the constant switch from one name to another for the same character was a bit confusing at times. Since I also noticed more than ten editing errors, I have decided to give Raymond Gaynor’s novel 3 out of 4 stars . Mainly punctuation mistakes and typos, the errors were not highly distracting, though. Some chapters have an LGBT slant or describe a new religion worshipping Mother Goddess, so those bent on dogmatic religious norms might have an issue with this aspect. There are no sexual scenes per se, but Draff’s relationships with both Billy and Simi often display an inherent eroticism. All in all, I am recommending this novel to fans of post-apocalyptic fiction who are interested in social and political transformations, technological changes, sexual awakening, and spiritual development.”
The Edge of Madness
Soon to be an Audible Audiobook read by the incomparable Peter Pollock; purchased by K. Simmons Production for manga, animation and cinematic treatment.
March 14, 2021
A TASTE OF HONEY
WHAT? You thought because I like writing romance and erotica that this was about…? Nope. Sorry. This IS about a kind of romance, however. Some years ago, I traveled to Greece for a few weeks of inspiration. After tiring of Athens, I walked down to the Port of Piraeus, backpack in hand, and caught a ferry to Volos, and then to Skiathos, arriving at my destination, Skopelos. It was late in the afternoon before I decided on the “perfect” place to renew and write, a white-washed house with a cottage located between the sea and Glossa Village. A donkey ride away from Glossa Village, and I was there.
Every morning I woke to the sound of goat bells, and a plate of grapes, figs, goat yogurt and pine honey, after which the sun sufficiently heated the solar shower, the final prelude to a cloudless day of writing. On special evenings, I would walk to the two local taverna’s for fresh fish, octopus or souvlaki, with Retsina and later, several shots of potent, anise-tasting Ouzo while dancing under the stars. All VERY memorable. But over the years, what I missed the most was the powerful, thick, dark, slightly molasses-flavored pine honey. I never found it anywhere else in my travels or in San Francisco, which had just about everything. Later, my romance with this honey resurrected when I watched the movie “Mama Mia” which was filmed at least partly in Skopelos.
It wasn’t until I visited Hawaii and chanced on a tiny bottle of “macademia flower honey” that romance reblossomed once again into erotic physical delight. The rich, thick, dark, slightly molasses-flavored honey was like dating the sister of one’s soulmate. So close. So delicious. So sexy. Yes, sexy. Taste is, after all, one of the primary senses aroused when falling in love.
Okay, I’m willing to accept the label of epicurean hedonist, treasuring as I will for the rest of my life my brief but heavenly experience with Skopelos’ pine-honey, and my occasional but much more accessible and almost as tasteful trysts with its sister, Big Island macademia-nut honey. In fact, the two sensory savants, one olfactory and one gustatory, in THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, emerged from treasured memories of the smell and taste of a honey I can never forget.
Raymond Gaynor
Author of THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020)
Co-author with A. G. Hayes of QUANTUM DEATH (Savant 2016) and with William Maltese of TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009)
Author website at https://garymartine.yolasite.com/raym...
Author Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/raymond.gayn...
Author Twitter site at https://www.savantbooksandpublication...
Amazon author page at https://www.amazon.com/Raymond-Gaynor...
Amazon Goodreads author page at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Savant Books and Publications | Aignos Publishing author page at https://www.savantbooksandpublication...
Distributed by Savant Distribution at https://www.savantdistribution.com/
The Edge of Madness
Every morning I woke to the sound of goat bells, and a plate of grapes, figs, goat yogurt and pine honey, after which the sun sufficiently heated the solar shower, the final prelude to a cloudless day of writing. On special evenings, I would walk to the two local taverna’s for fresh fish, octopus or souvlaki, with Retsina and later, several shots of potent, anise-tasting Ouzo while dancing under the stars. All VERY memorable. But over the years, what I missed the most was the powerful, thick, dark, slightly molasses-flavored pine honey. I never found it anywhere else in my travels or in San Francisco, which had just about everything. Later, my romance with this honey resurrected when I watched the movie “Mama Mia” which was filmed at least partly in Skopelos.
It wasn’t until I visited Hawaii and chanced on a tiny bottle of “macademia flower honey” that romance reblossomed once again into erotic physical delight. The rich, thick, dark, slightly molasses-flavored honey was like dating the sister of one’s soulmate. So close. So delicious. So sexy. Yes, sexy. Taste is, after all, one of the primary senses aroused when falling in love.
Okay, I’m willing to accept the label of epicurean hedonist, treasuring as I will for the rest of my life my brief but heavenly experience with Skopelos’ pine-honey, and my occasional but much more accessible and almost as tasteful trysts with its sister, Big Island macademia-nut honey. In fact, the two sensory savants, one olfactory and one gustatory, in THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, emerged from treasured memories of the smell and taste of a honey I can never forget.
Raymond Gaynor
Author of THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020)
Co-author with A. G. Hayes of QUANTUM DEATH (Savant 2016) and with William Maltese of TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009)
Author website at https://garymartine.yolasite.com/raym...
Author Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/raymond.gayn...
Author Twitter site at https://www.savantbooksandpublication...
Amazon author page at https://www.amazon.com/Raymond-Gaynor...
Amazon Goodreads author page at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Savant Books and Publications | Aignos Publishing author page at https://www.savantbooksandpublication...
Distributed by Savant Distribution at https://www.savantdistribution.com/
The Edge of Madness
March 13, 2021
TAKING A BREAK
TODAY represents the 240th consecutive day of blog/Goodread/FB/Twitter posts in support of my newly released SCI-FU (Science-Based Future) novel, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor. Today, I want to take a break to work on the sequel, “Prophecy,” which is about 50% written and screaming for my undivided attention. “Prophecy” (manuscript) follows Draff, Billie and Simi as the future world they inhabit begins to unravel. Not from the usual social, political or financial crises, but from…visitations. Unusual ones that portend the need for a totally new way of viewing a world that seems to be coming alive with a consciousness of its own. Meet “G,” the reluctant traveler; Set, his soul mate willing to follow him anywhere through space and time; Shaun, one of the original four who pulled the world out of total meltdown and unbeknownst to him, has a similar role to play once again; and “the other girl” who by virtue of simply being, sets into motion the series of events that will force the future world, the inhabited solar system and Multiverse to evolve.
QUANTUM DEATH (Savant 2016) by A. G. Hayes and Raymond Gaynor
Quantum Death
TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese
Total Meltdown: A Tripler and Clarke Adventure
THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor – soon to be an audiobook; purchased for cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions.
The Edge of Madness
QUANTUM DEATH (Savant 2016) by A. G. Hayes and Raymond Gaynor
Quantum Death
TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese
Total Meltdown: A Tripler and Clarke Adventure
THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor – soon to be an audiobook; purchased for cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions.
The Edge of Madness
March 12, 2021
LGBTQH
LGBTQ, an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning, is meant to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. So what is LGBTQ literature? I have struggled with this for years.
It can mean a storyline that addresses, incorporates or touches on sexual orientation, gender identity or LGBTQ issues. In this sense, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor (TEOM) would definitely be an LGBTQ genre novel. One of the three principal protagonists exploring his sexual identity and preferences would be considered bisexual. A second is openly gay in a Sci-Fu (science-based futuring) world where borders blur even further than today. The third, a young woman, is an admitted heterosexual, but still exploring. This diversity allows for interesting sub-vignettes that should resound with a variety of readers. Fiction or disguised non-fiction?
It can mean the work is written for an LGBTQ target audience. TEOM isn’t; instead its written for a wider readership interested in enduring literature “with a twist” that expands the readers’ Weltanauung (world point-of-view). While many novels typically target US 8th grade educated women, TOEM was written for first year college level and above adults.
It can also mean the author is LGBTQ. I find this category particularly challenging. For example, does it mean the author publicly identifies as such? Or while not public, still does so privately? Is an “undecided” author LGBTQ? And what of an author “open” to exploration? Finally, what about someone who has experienced a situation that, if voluntary, would be categorized such? Me, I’m “open” to all of the above and more. In the future, perhaps the acronym will be LGBTQH (or HLGBTQ) where “H” stands for heterosexual.
By any of the above, THE EDGE OF MADNESS fearlessly explores the diverse range of gender identities, sexual orientation, and sexually oriented relationships possible. Add that it’s also a socio-political thriller, adventure and romance, and that It does this solidly within the Savant/Aignos publishing requirement of no gratuitous violence or sex, something of which I’m particularly proud. Soon to be an audiobook read by Peter Pollock. Optioned by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and cinematic treatment.
The Edge of Madness
It can mean a storyline that addresses, incorporates or touches on sexual orientation, gender identity or LGBTQ issues. In this sense, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor (TEOM) would definitely be an LGBTQ genre novel. One of the three principal protagonists exploring his sexual identity and preferences would be considered bisexual. A second is openly gay in a Sci-Fu (science-based futuring) world where borders blur even further than today. The third, a young woman, is an admitted heterosexual, but still exploring. This diversity allows for interesting sub-vignettes that should resound with a variety of readers. Fiction or disguised non-fiction?
It can mean the work is written for an LGBTQ target audience. TEOM isn’t; instead its written for a wider readership interested in enduring literature “with a twist” that expands the readers’ Weltanauung (world point-of-view). While many novels typically target US 8th grade educated women, TOEM was written for first year college level and above adults.
It can also mean the author is LGBTQ. I find this category particularly challenging. For example, does it mean the author publicly identifies as such? Or while not public, still does so privately? Is an “undecided” author LGBTQ? And what of an author “open” to exploration? Finally, what about someone who has experienced a situation that, if voluntary, would be categorized such? Me, I’m “open” to all of the above and more. In the future, perhaps the acronym will be LGBTQH (or HLGBTQ) where “H” stands for heterosexual.
By any of the above, THE EDGE OF MADNESS fearlessly explores the diverse range of gender identities, sexual orientation, and sexually oriented relationships possible. Add that it’s also a socio-political thriller, adventure and romance, and that It does this solidly within the Savant/Aignos publishing requirement of no gratuitous violence or sex, something of which I’m particularly proud. Soon to be an audiobook read by Peter Pollock. Optioned by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and cinematic treatment.
The Edge of Madness
March 11, 2021
WHAT CLOTHES?
I made the audacious claim in my newly released SCI-FU (science-based futuring) novel, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor that the future portended major social changes in the wearing of clothes. The characters in the novel are, like in the pop play, “Hair,” entirely nude from birth to, well, whenever. EXCEPT (there’s always an exception) for Enforcers and some celebrities who use clothes as a “shock” social statement. B.C. — meaning in this case “before COVID” — some commented after reading my book that it could never happen. I noted their use of “could” rather than “would.” Then along came COVID, and an emerging new “Gen C” culture where people never really have to leave their homes even for work, living or recreation, and clothes immediately took a dive for the ultra-casual. Not just running shoes, but comfy pajama or sweat pants and tops. Communicating safely via the internet, there’s no need to “dress up” beneath the waist. And if the principal function of clothes is to hid one’s genitals, then where’s the need for anything above the waist: A Voila! Naif couture.
But clothes do retain several important secondary purposes both today and in THE EDGE OF MADNESS, namely, protecting one from harm, and broadcasting to others one’s sexual interest or readiness. And in the book, Eugitor suits — transparent mono-molecular “clothing” that change color based on preprograms or with one’s emotions — are sometimes worn over a similarly transparent mono-molecular “flack” layer that deflects any rapid penetration attempts, whether from bullets, sharp pointed or edged objects or…I’ll allow you to fill in this blank. Transparent, but highly modified. Clothes as we think of them today — plant-based curtains draped over the body — in the novel are worn purely for “shock” value and therefore generally frowned upon, making for a safer community given how difficult it is to conceal a weapon when visually nude. If that doesn’t get your knickers in a knot, I don’t know what will!
COULD it happen? As mentioned above, I contend that social, political and cultural mores are already leading us back to a future where clothes are, like public nudity today, the exception rather than the rule. WOULD/WILL it happen? That’s of course for Gen C and the general public to determine. For now, I suggest getting hold of a copy of THE EDGE OF MADNESS and deciding for yourself! And be sure to do it soon, before the sequel, “Prophecy” debuts.
The Edge of Madness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...
THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, soon to be an audiobook read by outstanding reader Peter Pollock
But clothes do retain several important secondary purposes both today and in THE EDGE OF MADNESS, namely, protecting one from harm, and broadcasting to others one’s sexual interest or readiness. And in the book, Eugitor suits — transparent mono-molecular “clothing” that change color based on preprograms or with one’s emotions — are sometimes worn over a similarly transparent mono-molecular “flack” layer that deflects any rapid penetration attempts, whether from bullets, sharp pointed or edged objects or…I’ll allow you to fill in this blank. Transparent, but highly modified. Clothes as we think of them today — plant-based curtains draped over the body — in the novel are worn purely for “shock” value and therefore generally frowned upon, making for a safer community given how difficult it is to conceal a weapon when visually nude. If that doesn’t get your knickers in a knot, I don’t know what will!
COULD it happen? As mentioned above, I contend that social, political and cultural mores are already leading us back to a future where clothes are, like public nudity today, the exception rather than the rule. WOULD/WILL it happen? That’s of course for Gen C and the general public to determine. For now, I suggest getting hold of a copy of THE EDGE OF MADNESS and deciding for yourself! And be sure to do it soon, before the sequel, “Prophecy” debuts.
The Edge of Madness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...
THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, soon to be an audiobook read by outstanding reader Peter Pollock
March 10, 2021
RIGHT RIGHT, LEFT LEFT and WHICH WITCH?
LOVE homonyms: homographs and homophones alike, though they really aren’t that much alike now, are they? Placed near each other, they are often pregnant with meaning. Like the right (correct) right (far right political aspirants) — is there such an animal? The answer: I have no more idea than if there is a left left. And which witch — that’s certainly a cogent question in THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor that deals in part with the return of pantheism alongside M-Superstring and Multiverse Theories. The answer: Simi Andry Jan [Jan-Rho], Wiccan High Priestess and professional acroynmeur with a distinct penchant for Draff Rob Brie [Septican-Smite], uber-conscious olfactory savant with shocking green eyes and a simian tail, professed but wavering partner of the flagrantly gay Olympian-built athlete Billie Frann Frank [Tordon-Cass], universally acclaimed professional photographer and heartthrob of women and men alike. And there you have it. The three main characters in my unique Sci-Fu (science-based futuring) novel of the world after Total Meltdown (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese.
I also like diversity and complexity, both of which are present in my latest novel and the sequel I’m currently writing tentatively entitled “Prophecy.” Always bordering on the edge of chaos, but never over that edge. This reflects my basic belief in life and the cosmos, being large, diverse and complex, often appearing chaotic, but actually well-ordered if one could but see the “bigger picture.” Substitute adventure, thrills, romance or gender-sex (LBGTQ) for “life” or “cosmos” and you have THE EDGE OF MADNESS.
The Edge of Madness
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
I also like diversity and complexity, both of which are present in my latest novel and the sequel I’m currently writing tentatively entitled “Prophecy.” Always bordering on the edge of chaos, but never over that edge. This reflects my basic belief in life and the cosmos, being large, diverse and complex, often appearing chaotic, but actually well-ordered if one could but see the “bigger picture.” Substitute adventure, thrills, romance or gender-sex (LBGTQ) for “life” or “cosmos” and you have THE EDGE OF MADNESS.
The Edge of Madness
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
March 9, 2021
ROOTS
LET’S start with today. A world admittedly filled with patriarchal, Caucasian, tribal/religious ideals all warring for dominance. Now for a moment try to envision a matriarchal, diverse, agricultural, family, globally cooperative world. Hard, isn’t it? That’s because, in my opinion, there’s something missing from each of these seemingly polar opposite “Weltanschauung.” Like birth and death, good and evil, heaven and hell. So what’s missing?
First, human society isn’t a “two-perspective dialectic.” People don’t generally live in and argue from the extremes. Most come from somewhere between. Somewhere more complex, rich and diverse.
Second, humans are, first and foremost human. Not patriarchal or matriarchal, warring or cooperative. What humans share are a set of long forgotten common roots, roots sunk deep into the living earth, Gaia, that human and animal existence is wholly dependent on. What’s missing isn’t more adventure or nurturing, fighting or love, eroticism or reasoning. We already have these at our command in whatever measure we so desire at any moment in time.
What is lacking is a sincere respect for our origins. Call it an ancient, almost completely lost form of pantheism. Call it, as I do in THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, the emergence of a new spirituality rather than religion. Call it Wicca, if you like, as I do in the book, but what’s missing is that which makes us stewards rather than users and consumers of a living Gaia a la James Lovelock. Maybe as some naysay, it’s too late. We’ve lost our chance to change. But I can’t believe that. As long as humans have and exercise choice in a concerted, caring and rational way, we still have a chance. Just as do the three main characters in my futuristic (SciFu) book.
The Edge of Madness
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
Taking up where TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese left off, NewAmerica, a shadow of its former United States of America, provides a challenging and dangerous future place for three young firebrands to live.
First, human society isn’t a “two-perspective dialectic.” People don’t generally live in and argue from the extremes. Most come from somewhere between. Somewhere more complex, rich and diverse.
Second, humans are, first and foremost human. Not patriarchal or matriarchal, warring or cooperative. What humans share are a set of long forgotten common roots, roots sunk deep into the living earth, Gaia, that human and animal existence is wholly dependent on. What’s missing isn’t more adventure or nurturing, fighting or love, eroticism or reasoning. We already have these at our command in whatever measure we so desire at any moment in time.
What is lacking is a sincere respect for our origins. Call it an ancient, almost completely lost form of pantheism. Call it, as I do in THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, the emergence of a new spirituality rather than religion. Call it Wicca, if you like, as I do in the book, but what’s missing is that which makes us stewards rather than users and consumers of a living Gaia a la James Lovelock. Maybe as some naysay, it’s too late. We’ve lost our chance to change. But I can’t believe that. As long as humans have and exercise choice in a concerted, caring and rational way, we still have a chance. Just as do the three main characters in my futuristic (SciFu) book.
The Edge of Madness
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
Taking up where TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese left off, NewAmerica, a shadow of its former United States of America, provides a challenging and dangerous future place for three young firebrands to live.
March 8, 2021
SHOUTING ALONE IN A CAVERNOUS ROOM
THAT’S what an author colleague, William Maltese, recently called publicity, and I have to whole heartedly agree. Daily blogging, Tweeting, posting on nine “book” Facebook pages, and strictly maintaining an author website, Goodreads, Amazon Author Central, YouTube and LinkedIn presence, I find myself frustrated shouting in that cavernous room, wondering if anyone else really is there. Okay, so I knew five years ago that social media, while it might be a way to tell everyone a bit about myself and my writing, hopefully placing a memory tag in readers’ mind such that whenever they wanted a good read or need a gift to send, they’d think of Raymond Gaynor, and more recently THE EDGE OF MADNESS by Raymond Gaynor, wasn’t a good book sales platform. I’ve even been aware of Facebook having added an option for a “buy and/or sell” tab as well as YouTube’s various attempts to monitize audio-video tidbits that might, indirectly, result in publicity or sales. But, hey, if there’s one thing that is a challenge for authors, it’s “getting the word out” to readers, if there any left. I’m not one to believe we’ve progressed yet to the premise in Ray Bradbury’s FAHRENHEIT 451, but I am admittedly seeing the signs: “News” reports that are shifting from written journalism to video clips; the wholesale closure of bookstores selling “new” verses “used” books; the population shift from readers to viewers/listeners; the unrelenting rise in small studio manga, animation and cinematic productions. Even I, after a tiring day, find myself searching Amazon Prime or Netflix for a movie rather than picking up a good book. Aren’t the best books all made into movies anyway?
I don’t want you to get the idea that I’m decrying the present state of publishing. True, it’s “in major transition” in may ways, but also true, new writers have more opportunities today to transition to authors than ever before, and new ideas similarly have more opportunities today to get “published” and thereby out to interested readers than ever before. No, I’m just sad to see the sudden rise of gambling surrounding publication and authorship. There are so many “Fast Eddies” [see THE EDGE OF MADNESS by Raymond Gaynor] offering fee-for-service publicity, WITHOUT A GUARANTEE OF SALES. In fact, without any guarantee whatsoever, appealing to authors to become gamblers. The gambler’s publicity model (verses the investment publicity model where the investment principal is guaranteed by the advertiser, publicist or influencer to result in at least dollar-for-dollar sales, with sales returns above the investment being the only gamble) also being in need of “major transition.”
Okay, so I’m a fervent, keen reader. Where can I go to locate a “good read” if I don’t know the author’s name or a specific book title? One solution, look up “THE EDGE OF MADNESS Raymond Gaynor” either on Amazon, or any of the four Savant online bookstores (Atlantic, Midwest, Pacific, Honolulu). And don’t forget my name and the book title when thinking of gifts! It may be quite a regressive approach in this age of the growing digital Internet of Knowledge (IoK; iKnow), but, hey, it works, and it’ll save my voice: THE EDGE OF MADNESS. Raymond Gaynor.
The Edge of Madness
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
I don’t want you to get the idea that I’m decrying the present state of publishing. True, it’s “in major transition” in may ways, but also true, new writers have more opportunities today to transition to authors than ever before, and new ideas similarly have more opportunities today to get “published” and thereby out to interested readers than ever before. No, I’m just sad to see the sudden rise of gambling surrounding publication and authorship. There are so many “Fast Eddies” [see THE EDGE OF MADNESS by Raymond Gaynor] offering fee-for-service publicity, WITHOUT A GUARANTEE OF SALES. In fact, without any guarantee whatsoever, appealing to authors to become gamblers. The gambler’s publicity model (verses the investment publicity model where the investment principal is guaranteed by the advertiser, publicist or influencer to result in at least dollar-for-dollar sales, with sales returns above the investment being the only gamble) also being in need of “major transition.”
Okay, so I’m a fervent, keen reader. Where can I go to locate a “good read” if I don’t know the author’s name or a specific book title? One solution, look up “THE EDGE OF MADNESS Raymond Gaynor” either on Amazon, or any of the four Savant online bookstores (Atlantic, Midwest, Pacific, Honolulu). And don’t forget my name and the book title when thinking of gifts! It may be quite a regressive approach in this age of the growing digital Internet of Knowledge (IoK; iKnow), but, hey, it works, and it’ll save my voice: THE EDGE OF MADNESS. Raymond Gaynor.
The Edge of Madness
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
March 7, 2021
PLANT LOVER
FEW also know me as a National Academy of Science/National Research Council (NAS/NRC) Fellow who spent four years researching water recovery and recycling at NASA Johnson Space Center and later at NASA Ames Research Center. My research led me to look at water recovery and recycling in a long-duration, closed environmental life support system from Mother Earth’s unique perspective. That is, how water is cleaned and recycled on our long-duration, closed environmental life support system, Earth. Gaia.
What I came to realize and touch on in my latest Sci-Fu book, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, is that it’s all about plants. We often think of plants as reclaiming/recycling our air, exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide, but they are also the heart of our planetary potable water reclamation/recycling system. For example, plants have an “open” circulation system, taking up “dirty” water from the soil and transpiring “clean” potable water into the air through pores in their leaves. While at NASA and for a decade afterwards, I created and tested a variety of biological water reclamation and recycling testbeds, making several interesting discoveries in the process (search for “Daniel S. Janik Plant Transpiration Water”). Again, some of what I discovered, I included in THE EDGE OF MADNESS.
https://glykineroresearch.yolasite.com/
The Edge of Madness
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
And, yes, that’s where some of my many SciFu (science-based future) ideas come from.
What I came to realize and touch on in my latest Sci-Fu book, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, is that it’s all about plants. We often think of plants as reclaiming/recycling our air, exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide, but they are also the heart of our planetary potable water reclamation/recycling system. For example, plants have an “open” circulation system, taking up “dirty” water from the soil and transpiring “clean” potable water into the air through pores in their leaves. While at NASA and for a decade afterwards, I created and tested a variety of biological water reclamation and recycling testbeds, making several interesting discoveries in the process (search for “Daniel S. Janik Plant Transpiration Water”). Again, some of what I discovered, I included in THE EDGE OF MADNESS.
https://glykineroresearch.yolasite.com/
The Edge of Madness
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
And, yes, that’s where some of my many SciFu (science-based future) ideas come from.
March 6, 2021
THE WHOLE [DANCING] ENCHILADA
WHILE many may know me as an author, not many know me as a dancer. However, I’ve loved partner dancing for as long as I can recall (and that’s a long time!). Of partner dances, my favorites are ballroom and Latin in the International style. My partner and I were quite active in the social dance scene up to the pandemic, and, as most social dance venues were and still remain closed, I’ve resorted to practicing Latin partner dance (mainly rumba, cha-cha, samba, jive and paso doble) every other day at home, with toning exercises in between dance days, and daily walks so I don’t completely lose cardiovascular endurance. My partner and I are strictly amateur, though dedicated keen, performance and competitive dancers.
It’s been frustrating not being able to dance socially, or do performances or compete in person; however, there are some efforts at moving dance into the “digital” era. In February 2021, the annual Aloha Ball went “virtual” allowing competitors to dance “live” and stream their dance to competition officials. Way to go Aloha Ball! On 6 March 2021 the annual Liberty Ball similarly went “virtual” allowing competitors to record and submit dances for judging, after heats, the various entries “professionally edited and live-streamed for free in high definition and in perfect time with the music and the other couples!” I personally believe these to be the future of performance and competitive DanceSport.
Wishing everyone a new era of social dance (still awaiting how this will pan out) and performance and competitive DanceSport. Welcome to the “new” world and let me know that you’ve read my latest work, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor. Sorry, no dancing in this one except for a new dance of life.
The Edge of Madness
BTW, my dance partner, Setsuko, has a book about dance tentatively entitled THE POWER OF DANCE in the final stages of polishing to be released in 2021 by Savant Books and Publications! Watch for it! It’s an informative segue from IN SEARCH OF SOMATIC THERAPY (Savant 2019) by Setsuko Tsuchiya.
In Search of Somatic Therapy
It’s been frustrating not being able to dance socially, or do performances or compete in person; however, there are some efforts at moving dance into the “digital” era. In February 2021, the annual Aloha Ball went “virtual” allowing competitors to dance “live” and stream their dance to competition officials. Way to go Aloha Ball! On 6 March 2021 the annual Liberty Ball similarly went “virtual” allowing competitors to record and submit dances for judging, after heats, the various entries “professionally edited and live-streamed for free in high definition and in perfect time with the music and the other couples!” I personally believe these to be the future of performance and competitive DanceSport.
Wishing everyone a new era of social dance (still awaiting how this will pan out) and performance and competitive DanceSport. Welcome to the “new” world and let me know that you’ve read my latest work, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor. Sorry, no dancing in this one except for a new dance of life.
The Edge of Madness
BTW, my dance partner, Setsuko, has a book about dance tentatively entitled THE POWER OF DANCE in the final stages of polishing to be released in 2021 by Savant Books and Publications! Watch for it! It’s an informative segue from IN SEARCH OF SOMATIC THERAPY (Savant 2019) by Setsuko Tsuchiya.
In Search of Somatic Therapy
